How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Rhode Island

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Animal lovers can choose to pursue a career in the field by becoming vet assistants.

If you live in Rhode Island, you should first know what the requirements are in this state.

So, read the below article to find out more info.

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Get information on Veterinary Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in Rhode Island

You will be able to get a job in a facility such as:

  • Pet clinics,
  • Animal rescue facilities,
  • Animal shelters
  • Zoos
  • Educational institutions

Your job duties will vary but the most common ones include:

  • Communicating with clients
  • Making appointments
  • Request records requests from other vets
  • Inventory control
  • Cleaning vet gear
  • Sanitizing animal cages
  • Operation room cleaning
  • Help with filling prescriptions
  • Prepping exam and operating spaces
  • Keeping records updated
  • Pay attention to the dietary needs of pets
  • Make sure the animals get enough exercise

One of the ways to get the experience you need is to opt for an externship.

To find your first job, the following resources might help you:

  • Rhode Island Veterinary Technician Association
  • Big Sky Veterinary Technician Association
  • National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
  • Veterinary Career Network
  • Vet Tech Life
  • Vetcetera
  • Where Techs Connect

Becoming Certified as a Vet Assistant in Rhode Island

In this state, you only need to get a high school diploma or a GED.

But, most employers will ask for experience with animals or certification.

This can be done if you attend a training program in your area.

You will be able to apply for the AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification after you finish training.

The vet assistant license in Rhode Island is provided by the NAVTA.

The program you enroll in also has to be accredited by the NAVTA.

Furthermore, you can pursue a specialization like:

  • Dental Technician
  • Anesthetist
  • Internal Medicine
  • Emergency and Critical Care
  • Behavior Technician
  • Zoological Medicine
  • Equine
  • Surgery
  • Clinical Practice
  • Nutrition
  • Clinical Pathology

The programs for vet assistants in Rhode Island can be joined in person as well as online.

Whether you choose a program online or in-person depends on how much time you have on your hands.

The training programs for vet assistants contain both theory and clinical practice.

During the theory section, you will attend classes focused on:

  • How to identify different breeds
  • Animal anatomy
  • The best ways to administer meds
  • How to administer post-operative care
  • Handling various breeds of animals
  • Medical terminology
  • Handling chemicals

The schools where you can train in Rhode Island are listed below.

Top 2 Schools in Rhode Island

School NameAddress
Community College of Rhode Island400 East Avenue, Warwick Rhode Island 02886
New England Institute of TechnologyOne New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818-1205

You can also choose to first become an experiential learner if you are already hired on a vet-related position.

However, you need to work at least 20 hours per week to be eligible.

Vet assistant training programs in Rhode Island last for a few months, but university degrees last for 2 to 3 years.

These include a B.S. in Veterinary Technology or an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology.

You will also have to pass the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam.

The exam is offered through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).

This exam requires an appointment first, and features the following topics:

  • Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
  • Dentistry
  • Pain Management/Analgesia
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Surgical Nursing
  • Pharmacy and Pharmacology
  • Laboratory Procedures
  • Anesthesia
  • Animal Care and Nursing

The vet assistant certification in Rhode Island stays valid for 2 years.

After the period ends, you have to attend some additional hours of education to get it renewed.

You will be mailed your new certification if you comply with the requirements.

Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Rhode Island

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that vet assistants in Rhode Island earn about $32,885 a year.

If you live in larger regions of this small state, you can have better career opportunities.

How much you will earn is also dictated by your experience in the field and credentials.

Annual Salary Range:
$27K
$33K
$40K

Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in Rhode Island

City NameSalary
Providence$33,483
Warwick$33,483
Cranston$33,483
Pawtucket$33,483
East Providence$33,483
Woonsocket$33,451
Coventry$33,419
North Providence$33,483
Cumberland$33,483
West Warwick$33,483
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Rhode Island

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA370$42,780$20.57$48,390$31,710
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers, OCC Code 31-9096, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Additional Information About Veterinary Assistants in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island as well as in the rest of the country, vet assistant jobs will see an increase in the following period.

So, make sure you choose a training program that fits you and gets a certification.

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